Perro De Presa Canario
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Perro De Presa Canario
Canis lupus

The breed has feet like a cat, with rounded toes that are not too close together. His unique feet give him a distinctive, long, elastic stride.
Perro De Presa Canario Facts
- Fun Fact
- The breed has feet like a cat, with rounded toes that are not too close together. His unique feet give him a distinctive, long, elastic stride.
- Temperament
- Calm, Aloof, and Strong-Willed
- Diet
- Omnivore
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Perro De Presa Canario as a Pet:
- General Health
- Energy Level
- Shedability
- Trainability
- Intelligence
- Tendency to Chew
- Size
- Family and kid friendliness
- Yappiness / Barking
- Moderate
- Separation Anxiety
- Low
- Preferred Temperature
- Average climate
- Exercise Needs
- Moderate
- Friendly With Other Dogs
- Poor
- Pure bred cost to own
- $1500 to $2500
- Dog group
- Non-sporting
- Male weight
- 110-143 lbs
- Female weight
- 80-121 lbs
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The Perro De Presa Canario’s cat-like feet give it a distinctive, graceful gait.
The Perro De Presa Canario is an ancient breed, dating back to the 15th century. Developed on the Canary Islands, the breed was used to protect and herd cattle. Unfortunately, his size and strength made him a popular choice for those involved in dogfighting. After many generations, with the history of attacking predators and fighting dogs in his bloodlines, today’s Perro De Presa Canario can be a good companion for the right household but does not generally do well in homes with other pets and children.
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Unfortunately, the tremendous strength and bite force of the breed, along with some fatal attacks that have made the news, means the Presa is not welcome in some areas.
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Perro De Presa Canario Mixes
The Perro De Presa Canario is a rare breed, so many breeders choose to devote their efforts to purebred breeding. There are a few crosses that are available for those looking for something different. They include a cross between the Presa Canario and Bulldog, known as the English Presa Bulldog, the Presa Canario, and Great Dane, known as the Presa Dane, and the Presa and the Mastiff, known as the English Presa Mastiff.
3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Perro De Presa Canario
Pros! | Cons! |
---|---|
A short coat with no undercoat means minimal grooming. | Often dominant and strong-willed. |
Excellent watchdog capabilities. | Tremendous bite force and history of attacks make the breed unwelcome in many communities and may make finding homeowner’s insurance a challenge. |
Loyal | Require an experienced, dedicated owner for training. |

Perro De Presa Canario Size and Weight
The Perro De Presa Canario is a large, short-haired breed that can reach 26 inches at the shoulder and routinely tops 100 lbs. In fact, males may reach nearly 150 lbs at maturity. The dog is longer than he is tall and has a sturdy build.
Height (Male) | 26″ Tall |
Height (Female) | 24″ Tall |
Weight (Male) | 143 lbs, fully grown |
Weight (Female) | 110 lbs, fully grown |
Perro De Presa Canario Common Health Issues
Most large breeds are predisposed to the same health conditions, and the Perro De Presa Canario is no different. Hip dysplasia, patellar avulsions, patellar luxation, and osteochondrodysplasia can all affect the breed. In addition, they are also prone to dilated cardiomyopathy and other heart conditions, cancers, and mast-cell tumors. Less serious conditions they may develop include demodectic mange and skin cysts.
Perro De Presa Canario Temperament
The breed is expected to be calm and attentive. Very confident, the breed is obedient to those he knows and suspicious of strangers. They have a tendency towards expressing dominance, making it important they have an experienced owner. If other pets are in the home, they should always be supervised.
Health and Entertainment for your Perro De Presa Canario
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How to Take Care of a Perro De Presa Canario
Owning a Perro De Presa Canario is not a commitment to take lightly. Even the cost of providing quality food is significantly more than with many other breeds. Combined with the time and energy needed to keep the dog exercised and trained, and it is easy to see that this isn’t the breed for everyone.
The Best Dog Food for Perro De Presa Canarios
Feeding a high-quality, commercially prepared diet ensures that your Perro De Presa Canario has the nutrients needed to develop into a strong, healthy dog. Feed young dogs 3 times a day.
As adults, twice-a-day meals ensure your dog doesn’t need huge portions at each meal and he is more likely to take his time eating. Like other large breeds, using an elevated feeder makes eating easier and reduces the risk of gastric torsion.
Since Perro De Presa Canario have an elevated risk of dilated cardiomyopathy, it might benefit your dog to eat a dog food free from legumes. There is a link between legumes in dog food and heart failure.
Our suggestion at A-Z Animals is Nutro Ultra Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food.
That’s because, with real chicken and salmon for high-quality protein, this dog food has all the glucosamine and chondroitin a Perro De Presa Canarios needs for mobile joints, and none of the ingredients your dog absolutely doesn’t need. Your Perro De Presa Canarios can do great without all the corn, wheat, soy, peas, lentils, and artificial additives found in many dog foods. Instead, this food offers dogs balanced nutrition with vital amino acids, vitamins, and more for energy and longevity.
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- Contains one (1) 30 lb. bag of NUTRO ULTRA Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food with a Trio of Proteins From Chicken, Lamb and Salmon
- Features trio of protein from chicken, lamb, and salmon—chicken is the ingredient—specially formulated for large breed adult dogs
- Our premium dog food kibble is made with high-quality ingredients and provides complete and balanced nutrition for large breed adult dogs in every bowl
- Protein rich NUTRO ULTRA Dry Dog Food is made with high-quality protein and our blend of 15 vibrant superfoods, like coconut, chia, kale, blueberries, and other quality ingredients
- Made with no chicken by-product meal, corn, soy, or wheat, and no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
Perro De Presa Canario Maintenance and Grooming
While the size and temperament of the Presa raise the price on nearly everything involved in dog ownership, the short coat makes grooming a breeze. Brushing with a bristle brush a few times a week and wiping with a damp cloth to remove loose hair and surface dirt is all you need to keep your dog looking good. He only needs the occasional bath.
It is important to clean his ears regularly and trim his fast-growing nails frequently. Both of these tasks are easiest if you introduce the process to your dog when he is young.
Perro De Presa Canario Training
This breed is intelligent but lacks the eagerness to please which makes many breeds easy to train. Instead, expect a dog that can be stubborn, strong-willed, and test boundaries. Patience and experience are needed for successful training. It is also important to socialize the dog from a young age. The breed is suspicious of strangers by nature, and lack of socialization will only encourage this trait.
Perro De Presa Canario Exercise
Despite his ponderous size, the Perro De Presa Canario has plenty of energy. Bred to be a working dog, he does best with multiple daily walks along with outdoor play.
Perro De Presa Canario Puppies
The Perro De Presa Canario typically has between 7 and 9 puppies in each litter. Because of the Presa’s rapid growth and eventual size, it is important to offer high-quality puppy food from an early age.
Take advantage of the Presa’s natural curiosity as a pup for intensive socialization. Don’t take the pup in public until you get the okay from your veterinarian. Most vets prefer that you wait until your pup has at least one round of vaccinations before taking them out. Once it is safe to do so, spend time walking and playing with your pup in parks and other areas where he can observe other people and pets. Enrolling him in a puppy obedience class is another great way to work on socialization.

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Perro De Presa Canario and Children
This breed is large, stubborn, and aloof. Combined with a bite force of 540 PSI, it is easy to see why they are not a good choice for most families. Attacks from a dog of this size and strength are devastating. In fact, the Perro De Presa Canario is a challenging breed and should be eliminated as the breed of choice for many people. Only an experienced dog owner with time to dedicate to training should consider one.
Dogs Similar to the Perro De Presa Canario
If you are interested in large guardian breeds, there are several to choose from.
- Cane Corso – Often mistaken for the Presa. Lower prey drive and more affectionate temperament than the Presa, although still a guardian that requires experienced handling.
- English Mastiff – A good choice for those looking for a large guardian who is also loving and fits in well with the family.
- Fila Brasileiro – Also known as the Brazilian Mastiff, this large guardian breed has superior tracking skills, making him prone to following his nose.
Perro De Presa Canario Vs Cane Corso
The Perro De Presa Canario and Cane Corso have many similarities, but there are some key differences between the two breeds. The first is height. The Cane Corso is slightly taller, reaching up to 27″ at the shoulder, however, it is not as stocky, and weighs less than the Perro De Presa Canario.
The Presa has a black mask, regardless of his body color. While both have short coats, the Cane Corso’s feels rougher, because it is denser. While both breeds make excellent watchdogs, the Cane Corso is friendlier with both his family and strangers than the Presa.
The Cane Corso has a lower prey drive and tends to get along better with other pets and children than the Presa.
Popular Names for Perro De Presa Canarios
The breed’s large size makes it the target for distinctive names. Common names for males include
- Titan
- Hulk
- Zeus
Common female names include
- Athena
- Onyx
- Willow
Last update on 2022-07-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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Perro De Presa Canario FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
How much does the Perro De Presa Canario cost to own?
Puppies can be purchased for $1500 to $2500. Ongoing costs can be high, due to the breed’s size. Expect a higher price for everything from food to beds.
Is the Perro De Presa Canario good with kids?
No, the breed is generally not considered kid-friendly. If he is brought into a home with children, it is better done while he is young. Children should always be supervised around the breed.
How long does the Perro De Presa Canario live?
9 to 11 years
Where did the Perro De Presa Canario originate?
The Canary Islands. The bloodlines of the Presa include mastiffs, the Bardino Majorero, and the Presa Espanol. The breed was nearly extinct in the 1960s. In the 1980s, a breed society formed to establish a breed standard and begin to record bloodlines.
How much do Perro De Presa Canarios cost?
$1500 to $2500. You may find a more affordable price through adoption.
How big do Perro De Presa Canarios get?
Up to 26″ at the shoulder and nearly 150 pounds
At what age is the Perro De Presa Canario fully grown?
Two
What is the difference between a Cane Corso and a Presa Canario?
The Presa Canario and the Cane Corso are often mistaken for each other, as they occasionally share a similar fawn coloration and overall appearance. Both are classified as large breed dogs and have a short coat of fur with little shedding.
Sources
- American Kennel Club, Available here: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/perro-de-presa-canario/
- Wag!, Available here: https://wagwalking.com/name/perro-de-presa-canario-dog-names
- PCCA Club, Available here: https://www.presacanarioclub.net/the-pcca
- So Cal Presa, Available here: https://socalpresa.com/category/presa-canario-information/